Maggie beamed up at Odin. “He’s like the son I wish I had.”
Odin walked up to the diminutive lady and scooped her up in a bear hug. “You are just like the mother I had, once my real mother gave me up. From this day forward you will be my mother.” He gave her a great big hug and then whispered something in her ear.
Maggie pulled away, tears coursed down her cheek. She then gave him a big kiss on the cheek and then whispered something back. They both hugged and Odin put her down.
“Go then, and see Elsabet. She will get you fitted for the wedding.”
The rest of the men waited while Odin fussed over the cakes. They knew he needed a moment to collect himself. If anyone thought vampires didn’t feel emotion or got choked up they didn’t know Odin, Thor, or Colum. All three were known for being brutal on the battlefield but were not afraid to show how they felt in times of private or in public.
Odin turned. “She says she felt something, like she knew me from a long time off, and asked if at some time we could talk about her changing. She doesn’t want to get old and die, and she wants to be around for the grand babies.”
Colum walked up and clasped Odin on the shoulder. Then winking at Travis and his father he said, “Yes and you will be down here cooking and baking, I am going to have to keep you busy or you may gain weight.”
The string quartet started to play Clair de Lune. The still evening air went well with the music that floated like fairies. If you believed in such things, you would have thought the fireflies were really fairies, or were they? Everyone turned and could see movement from the castle. People moved to their seats, sat and waited.
Katherine kissed Sally and then they both hugged. “You know you are so beautiful, I wish your father could see you today, he would be so proud.”
Sally tried to stop crying but the tears fell. She felt a hand on her cheek, it was Colum’s. “Don’t cry, daughter of mine. He can see you; know anything is possible, after all, our lives are miracles. We have seen just in these last few weeks, miracles untold. What’s to say he doesn’t have a front row seat to this wedding?” He kissed Sally’s cheek. “I know I’m not your father but I love you with all my heart like your father would. I told him I would do my best to watch over all of you.”
Sally looked up with eyes bright with tears flowing down her cheeks unchecked.
“I love you, Colum.”
“And I love you too, daughter.” He wiped away one of her tears and gave her one last kiss. “Now, I think we have a vampire down at the alter who is going to fly up here and snatch you away if we don’t get moving.”
Sally nodded. “OK, I’m ready.” She looked up at her mother and step-father and smiled one last time.
Colum raised his hand for the orchestra to start playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
Everyone stood and waited with breathless anticipation as a white shimmer floated ahead of the bride and Colum. Then they could see the bride making her way, heavily veiled. The guests were told the heavy veil was to hide her beauty from the groom, till the last possible moment. Yards and yards of vintage, Victorian lace and tulle were laid out behind her. As she and Colum made their way down the winding aisle, Olivia toddled ahead with Katherine, throwing handfuls of rose petals on the path. Her laughter could be heard by all, sounding like tinkling bells. Fatima followed carrying baby Liam who smiled and cooed. He held a little pillow with rings attached.
Colum tilted his head just a bit. “You know you are just like my daughter and I am so very proud to be walking you down the aisle today. Thank you for this honor. If I could have seen it all those years ago, with all the pain I have gone through waiting for your mother, well anyway, thank you Sally, dear.”
Sally looked up, knew Colum could see her through all the lace and tulle. She smiled but she was too choked up to say anything. All she could do as they approached the alter was to squeeze his massive forearm. She felt him pat her hand as they stopped.
Colum lifted her veil and saw her beautiful violet eyes. Not a trace of ruby. Good, she had been fed well before hand. He had taken extra precautions with three new vampires in their midst, and had made sure they were all well fed. Older vampires stood throughout the crowd like secret service agents ready to take care of any little problem. He knew there wouldn’t be any though.
Colum placed a kiss on her cheek, one final time before she wed Odin. He then placed her hand in Odin’s. Looking into Odin’s eyes he saw tears sitting, ready to spill. He gave his hand a squeeze, then stepped back and took Katherine’s. They went and stood next to Cormac and Elsabet. Fatima stood in front with Liam, waiting for the time they would give the rings. A simple gold band for Odin, a band studded with diamonds and rubies for Sally.
The priest smiled at everyone and motioned as the music came to an end for everyone to take their seats.
“Who gives this bride into marriage?”
* * * * * * * *
Later, as Sally and Odin mingled with their family and friends, Sally could see her brothers eyeing some girls from one of the royal families who were in attendance. “The circle of life continues.”
Odin bent and kissed the top of his bride’s hair. “It does, luv.”
Katherine and Colum waltzed while others danced more modern dances. Then Katherine saw out of the corner of her eye, Sally come onto the dance floor, no longer dressed in her Victorian bridal gown but an ivory corset and leather mini skirt to match. The music stopped. Katherine rolled her eyes at Colum. “I think I know what’s coming.”
Sure enough, one of the newest dance songs came blasting over the speakers. All the younger ones cheered. Sally pulled Odin to the center and the dancing started up again.
Katherine smiled and pulled Colum to the center of the floor. “When in Rome.”
* * * * * * * *
Travis picked up his phone late one evening, a week after the wedding. He saw the number was one of the men’s numbers. He thought for a moment and then remembered it was Brent’s number. He had been called away on an important mission right after the wedding.
“Yes?” He listened. “I will be on the first flight within the hour.” He hung up the phone and with that slammed his fist through the wall next to him. He pulled out his leather duffle and started throwing clothes into it. “What a waste of fucking life. When will it stop?”
Thor had heard a crash in his Uncle’s room. He got up, grabbed his Glock and ran for the next room. Knocking and then hearing a muffled reply, he proceeded cautiously, gun drawn. One never knew. He saw his Uncle throwing clothes in his duffle. Saw the hole in the wall. Putting his gun back in his holster that he always had strapped to him, he asked, “What happened?”
Travis looked up; his eyes he knew had changed to a shade to match the Burmese Rubies that were in Sally’s wedding band. “Brent, Justin’s brother was returning from a Mission, was due to leave now but his Humvee hit an IED.”
Thor got his phone out. “We will need to go get him.” He called a number. “Did he make it?”
Travis growled. “Barely, it just happened an hour ago. They are trying to stabilize him but it looks like he lost at least one leg.”
Thor walked to the window as he talked on his phone. “ETA? OK, we will be out in the field.”
He turned towards his Uncle. “I will get Justin and a few others. We need a good hunting party.”
Travis gathered his things. “I don’t know why so many have to suffer, this is senseless. All those who can’t be saved and changed. Let’s hope we can make it, because Justin is going to be an animal as it is. If he loses his twin, I can’t imagine what he’ll do.”
“Yeah, we will have a situation and who will take responsibility, which country?” Thor asked.
Travis walked with him down the main staircase of the castle. They were met by Colum, Cormac and other men. The only one who was not in the group was Odin. He wasn’t expected.
They all knew something of great importance had set the alarm off. Travis turned bright e
yes to his King and former King. “Let’s go get our own back and get some terrorists in the bargain.”
Justin came running down the stairs. “I’m gonna kill the mother fuckers who did this to my brother!”
As they all walked out into the early morning light, spirits stood guard at the windows and towers.
###
Sneak Peak into “Redemption at Midnight”
Release 2014
Brent woke up but felt like he was in a fog. He looked around, trying to get his bearings. Then he heard a sound, a familiar one and he knew it wasn’t good.
“Where the fuck is my brother? Do you want me to start tearing your limbs off and sucking you dry?”
Brent tried to smile but he hurt too much. Then he heard. “Sir, I understand your frustration but he is still asleep and no one is supposed to go into the recovery room, just yet.”
Brent heard a strangling sound then, “Get a hold of Justin and shut him up.” Then Brent heard who he thought must be Travis’ distinctly cultured voice. “Sir, I’m so sorry for that, but you must understand, we’ve just flown from Ireland, after a family wedding. Justin here is Brent’s twin, they are rarely separated. Justin feels it’s his fault his brother is here now.”
“I’m so,” coughing sounds, “sorry, sir, but orders are orders. Not till morning and the doctor returns to see.”
Brent tried to yell out but his throat felt like it had been ripped out. He couldn’t make a sound. He could only lie there and listen. He heard a crashing sound and then the separation from all that was going on the other side became part of his recovery area. Justin had dived under the crude partition and smiled a roguish smile at his brother as he stood up. Brent tried sitting up straighter, but because of the drugs they had given him, he couldn’t.
“These dumb mother fuckers don’t know when it’s better for you to see your own flesh and blood. We are going on a bear hunt, I mean a terrorist hunt, brother, and gonna catch us some terrorists real soon.” Justin said as he stood closer to his brother’s bed. He was about to give his brother a bear hug when they stopped at the noise and happenings going on the other side. “Sir, I will have to ask you to not go in there, this is going to get reported, sir, that is too many men to be visiting the patient. Security!”
All the men poured into Brent’s small recovery area. Justin smiled and then turning to his brother he grabbed him up in a great big bear hug. Brent felt every bit of the hug and started to groan. Colum put his hand on Justin. “I think your brother is in pain and needs to be...” he was met by a growl.
Cormac and Travis dove in to break up what could have been a catastrophe.
Justin had felt the hand on him and not even knowing or caring he had started to growl. “I wouldn’t fucking go there Doc,” When he saw who it was, he fell to the floor. “Please forgive me, Sire, I meant no harm, I thought it was that stupid ass orderly coming to stop me from seeing my brother.”
All men stood still and then a great big laugh erupted from the center. Colum was a bit buried under all who were there. It had become a pig pile of sorts. Finally everyone separated. Standing still, watching Justin, their King and Brent.
“No harm done Justin, now to get your brother discharged so we can bring him home and get him the care he needs.”
Cormac picked up the charts at the end of the bed and glanced over them quickly. He looked up once at Justin and then his wounded brother and inwardly shuttered. Did Brent even know?
Justin saw the look and he didn’t like it. “What’s going on? What’s happened to my brother?”
Brent hadn’t been awake for long, but didn’t like the sound of Justin’s voice. “Yeah, what happened to me? I just woke up to all the noise and...”
MPs rushed in to the recovery area, guns drawn. The young orderly rushed in behind them. One look, everyone knew this could be a bomb about to go off, likely a chance for Justin to have a feeding frenzy because he was looking for scapegoats to punish for his brother’s condition.
Travis jumped in between. “You will have to excuse us. This is HRH Colum O’Heachthanna. Brent O’Hara here is also with our Special Ops. We were called as soon as he arrived at your hospital. His brother will be assuming responsibility, umm, after our men go on a hunting, I mean on a mission.”
Everyone stood still. No one said anything or moved. Colum had moved in behind Justin just in case.
Justin shook off the hands that held him. “I’m fine, really,” he moved back to his brother. Leaning in close, he whispered, “I’m going hunting and I will be back at dawn. I’m gonna find who did this to you, they will not know what hit them,” he gave his brother a quick hug and was gone.
“Sir. Sir, you must not go out there in the night,” was yelled by one of the MPs.
Colum went to talk to the orderly. Travis pulled the MPs aside and calmed them down. Cormac studied the charts. He felt Brent’s eyes studying him. Brent didn’t feel good all of a sudden. He felt like he was going to throw up. Looking down at his bed he saw the sheets pulled tight over his thighs. Looking back up he licked his lips and tried to talk. It came out as a croaking sound.
“Give it to me, Sir, I need to know.”
Cormac knew this would be hard. He wasn’t sure how he would react. “Son, you’ve lost the lower part of both legs. You had a knee but it was so shattered they took it, too. I’m so sorry. But don’t worry, you will have the best care and the prosthesis that they have now, you will be up and running before you know it.”
“I’m not whole, that’s what you are telling me. I’m not whole. I will never be the same again. I will never be the same. People will look at me with pity. No one will want me. I won’t be able to work. I should have died, what good will I be? I can’t be a soldier. I can never go on missions again? What will I do, sit on a porch and fucking knit?”
Everyone had turned. The MPs slowly filed out. The orderly said he would return as soon as he could find the doctor. His thoughts as he left were it looked like they would have to sedate Brent.
Colum pulled his father to the side. “We need to get him out of here. The other men with Thor have gone to hunt down Justin and make sure he doesn’t take innocents in his hunting.” He took the chart and gave it a quick look over. Brent was still talking to himself, though he had quieted down some.
Travis tapped Colum on the shoulder. But as soon as he had, Brent made a grab for Colum’s Glock that he had holstered. Travis dove as did Cormac. The gun went off and hit Travis in the leg. A howl of rage could be heard.
Cormac hauled off and slugged Brent, enough that he was out and quick.
They all stood while Travis assessed the damage. “I will need to dig this out.”
The orderly and four MPs came running back in. “What the hell happened?” A doctor came skidding to a stop behind them.
“We need to get him under sedation till we can remove him. Travis will need to have a bullet removed from his leg. If you would be so kind to get me the tools I can perform the procedure,” Colum said with authority in his voice.
The orderly just stood there. Nothing made sense. These men were taller than any man he normally saw on a daily basis. Counting all ten who had walked in, were giants. The orderly approached the Giant who he said was some HRH he had never heard of. He appeared to be in charge. “Sir, we cannot allow this gentleman to remove that bullet.” He pointed in the direction of Cormac who stood next to Travis. “He needs proper care.”
Colum glanced over to the orderly and tried to think of what best way to take care of him. He looked past him for a second to his father. Father, please create a diversion so we can get this bullet out. These here will flip out if they see the color of our blood.
Cormac smiled. My thoughts exactly. He turned and started to walk towards the door. All of a sudden a crash could be heard on the other side somewhere. Everyone stood still then a loud yell could be heard.
Colum stilled his men with his look. The orderly sent the MPs off. The Doctor yelled he woul
d be right back to attend to Travis. The orderly sighed. “I will return momentarily,” he turned and ran out also.
Travis sat on a chair, his pants down. Cormac grabbed his surgical kit that he had in his pack. Colum handed him what he needed, when he needed it. Travis watched, but his hands were starting to bend the chair.
“There, got the bugger out, now let’s clean you up.” Cormac glanced up at Travis. “How many times have I done this for you?”
Travis looked down. “Too many fucking, bloody times.”
Travis turned when Brent started to come to. “He will need to be sedated until we can get him back home, stateside.”
Cormac shook his head. “We will bring him to Ireland, first. He needs real care and we have doctors who can mobilize at a moment’s notice. We will work this all out. I think I will make a trip to London after though.”
Travis and Colum both snapped their heads at that. “Why?” they asked.
Cormac finished up and wiped his hands. “Because I think this is something we are going to need extra help with.”
Colum nodded. Maybe it would be this that would bring my sister back into the fold and the family.
* * * * * * * *
Brent studied the lower part of his body. He knew now there was no legs, no hope. Somehow he would kill himself. He would end this misery quickly. Turning to the sound he saw Travis pulling up his pants. Then he remembered. “Did I shoot you, sir?”
Travis stood and walked over to the side of Brent. “Yes, but it’s all healed. We just needed to get the slug out. Good thing our former King knows a bit of medicine.”
Brent turned away. “I’m sorry about that, sir, but not sorry I reached for the Glock. I will keep trying till I succeed.”
Cormac walked up to Brent. Grabbing his arm, he gave Brent a shot of a sedative. It all happened so quickly no one, least of all Brent, saw it coming. “Somehow we will get you past that, Brent, and you will want to live, or I will change you myself. There will be no more talk of killing yourself.”
I've Been Waiting for You Page 15